Illegal homebuilding lands fine for two men

Peterborough This Week

(PETERBOROUGH) Two Warsaw men have been fined after pleading guilty to failing to register as a vendor/builder in connection with a home built in Otonabee-South Monaghan Township.
Todd White and Robert Moore, of Tri-Line Holdings in Warsaw, were fined $9,390, including victim fine surcharge, in the Peterborough Provincial Offences Court on Dec. 13.
Early in 2012, Tarion’s enforcement team began investigating a property believed to be for sale by an illegal vendor/builder. The home was first discovered by a member of Tarion’s enforcement team during routine monitoring of sales listings in the area. Two days later, a potential homebuyer also contacted Tarion to see whether the home was enrolled under the Statutory Warranty. Tarion determined the home was not enrolled and an investigation was initiated.
“Illegal builders put homeowners at risk,” Dave Roberts, director of enforcement at Tarion Warranty Corporation, said in a statement.
“My team’s mandate is to find and prosecute illegal builders so new home buyers in Ontario receive the warranty coverage they are entitled to by law.”
Under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act, anyone in Ontario who plans to build and/or sell a new home must be registered with Tarion and enroll the home(s) as per the requirements of the Act. Prior to being granted registration, all prospective home builders are required to attend a builder orientation session, successfully complete a technical evaluation based on the Ontario Building Code and undergo a financial viability and business competency analysis. Terms and conditions may also be placed on registrations, such as posting of securities or limits on the number of homes that can be built.
Illegal building can be anonymously reported by calling Tarion at 1-800-786-6497, or by sending an e-mail to enforcement@tarion.com. New home buyers are also encouraged to visit the “Find a Builder” section of Tarion’s website to confirm that their builder is registered.